The Londonderry sifter. (South Londonderry, Vt.) 1883-19??, 1887-03-17

impossible, Tor me to raise the sum
necessary, and that we must leave the
dear old home that VIC had loved SO
well. Aud now, this very morning, Mr..
Burton came and told me that kind
friend, hearing of the intended fore
closure, has paid the amount in full"
"Who is it that has helped you,
mothcr7"
"That's the strangcst part of it Lily.
Mr.. Burton said ho had strictly prom
iscd not to tell mo the name of my benc-
factor, and rs to who it can be have no
idea"
But though she did not say so, Lily
had; and when later, in her usual i'm
pulsivc way, she told John Hollaway
how sorry she was that she had been so
rude to him, and then asked him frankly
whether he was not tho kind friend who
had como so opportuncly to her mothers
relief, his manner confirmed her suspi-
cions.
1t is said that gratitude is ncighbor
to love-" and whether that bo true or
not, it is certain that from that time the
manly young farmer was often in Lily's
thoughts, while Richard Blake was just
as steadily losing ground. But John, of
course, did not know it. He was not one
TO wear his heart upon his sleeve, and at
length, after hard struggle, had decd =
cd to abandon his hopeless suit and
leave the field to that rival who evident
ly was tho favored one. Lily appeared
to notice the difference; but, woman
like, she did not appear to care, and so
the months went much the same, until
at length the crisis came.
The village in which our heroine lived
was just on the shores of little bay,
and many were the pleasure parties that
enjoyed atrip over its limpid waters.
One afternoon, Richard Blake, obtain
ing Mrs. Lawrence's consent, invited Lily
to take sail.
When they reached the beach, who
should be waiting in readiness to manage
the boat but John Hollaway.
"Hallo, Hollaway, arc you turning
into boatman1" exclaimed Blake, in as
tonishmcnt.
Lifting his cap to Lily, John answered,
'Not exactly; but Joe came to mo in
great distress, saying he did not feel
we'll enough to go out, but had promised
not to disappoint you, and knowing ]
could manage boat, he asked mo to
take his place. Joe has done me many
good turn. and so I could not refuse
him, he added, wrongfully interpreting
the little flush that had risen in Lily's
face as she listened; land he said, too,
that it was your sister who was to be
your companion. Else I should not have
come; would not for the world be d
mar-spcrt."
The bitterness in his tone touched Q
like chord in Lily's heart. For some
little time back she had been slowly bu,
surely learning lesson, tho difference
between real worth and mere glitter; and
now her heart sank as she saw, OF
thought she saw, how completely hel
conduct had driven all affection towards
her from Johns mind, and thet she had
foolishly thrown away her own happi-
ness.
''Well, Hollaway, Pm sure I'm much
obliged. It's very kind of you," wa.
Blake's reply.
And the two young men soon had tho
little craft in readiness for its fail
freight.
Blake had seen Johns liking for Lily,
but his vanity had not been alarmed; he
knew by experience the power of hi
dark eyes, and Lily Lawrence was lik'
any other young lady if she were ter
times prettier. So he reasoned.
They floated lightly over the blue
water, anchoring after while under
bluff, and dropping their lines to fish
Lily chatted gaily in her .wn fasci-
mating way, and never had she seemed
moro lovely in Richard Blakc's eyes
while poor John, who had thought o
late that he had driven her image from
his mind, felt tho old charm creepin.
over him again stronger than ever be
fore; but he hid his pain manfully ant
kept his part in the lively conversation
Time crcpt on, and just as they decided
on returning, to their sudden dismay
the heavens suddenly clouded over, ant
peel of thunder suddenly brough
them to their feet in alarm. Squall
were not common upon the bay, but on
was evidently now upon them, and Johr
saw tho great danger. A moment, and
they were dashing at a mad rate owe
the waves, while overhead the awfu
darkness gathered more ominously al
the while, and every now and then vivit
flashes of flame seemed to envelope then
on all sides. Suddenly there was
binding glare, then terrific crash, and
half the mast dropped over the bows
while the sails were dragging in tn
seething waters. For an instant job
was almost stunned; then his frs
thought was Lily. Where was she2
second more and he caught the CLEAR
of yellow curls in the cruel waves anon
the tattered sails; the ropes had twisted
about her light figure and dragged he
over the bow.
He sprang to Blake's side.
'If she is to be yours, it is you VIII
ought to save her. Quick! or it will b.
too late. Your chance will be gone!"
But Blake still covered tremblingl
where he was, unheeding the peril o
tho nna ha pro oraecod 10 Love